201400424, 14 Elizabeth Way, Fix Pizzeria
Item Summary:
Facade renovations
Staff Report:
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the application for façade renovations at 14 Elizabeth Way.
Issue
The applicant is proposing to make minor façade improvements to both the front (south elevation facing Elizabeth Way) and rear (north elevation facing East Alley). For the front elevation, the applicant is proposing to remove the faux gable from over the doors and windows. Changes to the East Alley elevation include removal of the metal awning, removal of the downspouts beneath scuppers, new gutters and downspouts, replacement of entry door, and the addition of one storefront window. The door and window at the rear will be made of wood and will match those on the front façade.
History
The structure located at 14 Elizabeth Way was constructed in 1935 according to the Fulton County Tax Digest and is classified as "Historic" on the Historic Properties Map.
No previous HPC applications were located.
Figure 1: Image of buildings fronting Elizabeth Way in 1949.
14 Elizabeth Way is the third storefront from the left. Image from Roswell: A Pictorial History
Analysis
Front elevation:
The Design Guidelines state that the "original storefront configuration should be maintained" and that "inappropriate non-historic storefronts should be replaced with a traditional configuration during rehabilitation projects." While most of the historic storefront remains intact, a faux gable was added to the top portion of the building several decades ago. Staff commends the applicant on their desire to remove this element which takes away from the true character of the building and the surrounding storefronts on Elizabeth Way. Any marks or damage from the removal of this element should be carefully cleaned and repaired.
Rear elevation:
While the rear was designed for utilitarian use, the recent revitalization of Canton Street has created a shift to use the rear entrance and the alley that fronts it for more than just deliveries. In an effort to create another storefront to Fix Pizzeria, the applicant is requesting to clean up the rear façade as well as install a new door and window. Staff commends the applicant for removing the metal awning and for replacing/relocating the gutters and downspouts.
Patching shows that the rear of the building previously had two single windows on either side of a double door. At some point, this double door was converted to a single door opening. While preservation standards state that the original openings should be preserved, Staff understands the desire to make the rear of the building more of a front. This requires larger openings that are associated with an actual storefront. The lack of symmetry with the openings is due to the limited options with the floor plan due to the restraints of a small interior space. Staff commends the applicant on reworking the floor plan to minimize the impact to the historic Elizabeth Way storefront.
Staff supports the increased openings and the wood door and window.
Department Comments
Several department comments were issued based off of the applicant's first submittal which included encroachment into the City ROW. These comments do not apply to the revised drawings.
Materials
Aerial
Letter of Intent
Photographs
Floor Plans
Elevation Drawings - 1st Submission
Elevation Drawings - Revised Drawings
Presented by:
Courtney Lankford, Planner II